Methods and compositions involving blood T-lymphocyte reactivity with collagen

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes methods and compositions based on the discovery that blood T-lymphocytes have reactivity to the structural proteins in collagen found in aneurysm tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Abdominal aortic aneurysms involve dilation or stretching of the abdominal portion of the aorta. Typically, abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are defined as arterial dilatations of greater than 1.5 times normal vessel diameter and are most common in the infrarenal aorta. AAAs can affect anyone, but it is most often seen in men 40 to 70 years old. In some cases, AAAs can rupture creating a life-threatening medical emergency where there is profuse bleeding into the abdominal cavity. Ruptured aneurysms occur more frequently in patients with larger (>5 cm) aneurysms. Approximately 15,000 people die each year of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm, making it the 13th leading cause of death in the United States. Mortality from rupture is estimated to be from 74 to 90 percent

[0002] AAAs are difficult to diagnose, approximately 75 percent of abdominal aortic aneurysms are asymptomatic and are detected during routine physical examination or during an unrelated radiologic or surgical procedure. Symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysm may result from expansion or rupture of the aneurysm, pressure on adjacent structures, embolization or thrombosis. The most common symptom is abdominal, flank or back pain.

[0003] Several tests can be used to diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm. These include a plain radiograph, B-mode ultrasound examination, computed tomographic (CT) scan, CT angiogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography.

[0004] Treatment of AAAs depends on the size of the aneurysm, which has been correlated with the risk of rupture. For example, annual risk of rupture for an abdominal aneurysm from 5.0 to 5.9 cm in diameter is 5 percent, while the annual risk of rupture for an aneurysm 7 cm in diameter is 19 percent. Surgery is indicated in some cases to relieve pain, prevent rupture of the aneurysm and to prolong life. Emergency surgery is indicated for nearly all patients with known or suspected rupture because nonsurgical therapy of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm is uniformly fatal. Unfortunately, surgery has unwanted complications such as infection, cardiac arrest, or death

[0005] The exact cause of AAA is unknown but risk factors include hypertension, infection, congenital weakening of the connective tissue component of the artery wall, trauma or atherosclerosis. Typically, atherosclerosis is characterized by focal lesions of cholesterol deposition, fibrosis and inflammation. While plaques often result in occlusive problems manifesting as peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction and stroke, vessels may also become aneurysmal. The etiologic nature of atherosclerosis in aneurysm disease is not clear.

[0006] Prior study of human AAA disease has documented a prominent inflammatory infiltrate in the media and adventitia. This inflammatory infiltrate pathologically distinguishes AAA disease from atherosclerotic occlusive disease and normal aorta. The pathologic changes observed in AAA disease are further emphasized by the spectrum of AAA disease. Some clinicians first reported inflammatory aneurysms and described a subset of patients with retroperitoneal fibrotic changes and a white inflammatory aortic wall. Microscopic evaluation revealed a pan-inflammatory process that is CD3+ predominant. Some researchers have reported that 12% of patients with AAA disease that is not grossly of the inflammatory variety, manifest changes that are microscopically indistinguishable from inflammatory AAA disease.

[0007] If the T-lymphocytes present are acting in a directed pathologic process in AAA disease, several logical candidates for antigens are in the aortic wall. Extensive empirical description of the alterations in the aneurysmal aorta has demonstrated the importance of elastin and collagen in maintaining aortic wall integrity. Some clinicians report decreased elastin and collagen levels in the wall of AAAs. Other clinicians report increased to normal collagen levels in AAA disease.

[0008] Given the severity of aneurysms, especially AAA disease and the high risk of mortality, there is a need for assays and effective therapies that can detect, prevent and treat aneurysms. Methods and compositions that lead to early diagnosis of aneurysms, especially AAAs, would also be beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It has been discovered that T-lymphocytes from aneurysm tissue have reactivity to the key structural protein collagen. This reactivity is MHC class I restricted. Further, the necessary presenting cells are present in, for example, AAA tissue. The present invention is based on the discovery that T-lymphocytes derived and isolated from blood lymphocytes, for example, human peripheral blood (PBL) in aneurysm patients are reactive with collagen. With these discoveries, methods, compositions and assays of the present invention allow rapid identification, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from aneurysm, for example, AAA disease or rupture.

[0010] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an isolated or purified T-lymphocyte derived from peripheral blood, the T-lymphocyte is specifically reactive with collagen I or collagen III or fragment thereof.

[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preventing or treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent that inhibits T-lymphocyte reactivity with collagen I, collagen III epitope or combination thereof, thereby preventing or treating the abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture.

[0012] In still another embodiment, the present invention provides a vaccine for preventing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture in a mammal comprising an effective amount of collagen, or epitope thereof, isolated from abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue, the collagen capable of producing an immune response in a mammal.

[0013] In still yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a kit for determining an individual's risk for developing and abdominal aortic aneurysm, comprising a container and a monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, wherein the collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof is isolated from abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue.

[0014] In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method of stimulating or inhibiting an immune response in a mammal to prevent or treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or rupture comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof so as to produce antibodies that inhibit T-lymphocyte reactivity with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, thereby stimulating the immune response to prevent or treat the abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture.

[0015] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of an epitope of collagen I, collagen III, or combination thereof, wherein the epitope is isolated from abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue and is specifically reactive with T-lymphocytes.

[0016] In still yet another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method of preventing or treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent that inhibits blood T-lymphocyte reactivity with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, thereby preventing or treating the abdominal aortic aneurysm.

[0017] In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with collagen I, or collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, wherein the antibody prevents proliferation of blood T-lymphocyte in a mammal.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a kit for determining an individual's risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture, comprising a container and a monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with blood T-lymphocyte.

[0019] In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for determining a mammal's risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture comprising: (a) obtaining a sample of blood T-lymphocytes from the mammal; (b) incubating the blood T-lymphocytes from the mammal under suitable conditions so as to react the T-lymphocytes with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, and (c) determining the reactivity of the blood T-lymphocytes with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof by measuring proliferation, or cytokine release, wherein the proliferation or cytokine release of the T-lymphocytes indicates increased risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture.

[0020] In still yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for detecting the presence of collagen I, collagen III, and/or epitope thereof, comprising: (a) obtaining a sample of aortic tissue; (b) incubating the sample with one or more blood T-lymphocytes under suitable conditions so as to react the T-lymphocytes with collagen I, collagen III, and/or epitope thereof; and (c) detecting collagen I, collagen III, and/or epitope thereof by measuring blood T-lymphocyte reactivity with the aortic tissue, wherein proliferation of the T-lymphocyte indicates the presence of collagen I, collagen III, and/or epitope thereof.

[0021] For a better understanding of the present invention together with other and further advantages and embodiments, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the examples, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, but are not intended in any way to restrict the scope of the invention. The preferred embodiments of certain aspects of the invention are shown in the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a graphic illustration of T-lymphocyte proliferation against collagen I and III observed in cells cultured from PBL. These results show at least six fold greater than proliferation with elastin or no antigen. Similar trends were noted in a two additional assays where collagen III was observed to give a 1.7 times proliferative response over baseline and collagen I was observed to give a 1.9 times proliferative response. A third culture was not proliferative to a significant extent—consistent with the results one would expect with cultures generated in this experimental configuration. In no case did elastin stimulate proliferative responses above baseline (n=3).

[0024]FIG. 2 is a graphic illustration of T-lymphocyte reactivity against collagen I and III observed in cells cultured from AAA tissue in AAA patients. These results show at least two fold greater than proliferation with collagen I or III as opposed to no antigen. These results correlate with cytokine release results and substantiate the proliferative results shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The invention will now be described in connection with preferred embodiments. These embodiments are presented to aid in an understanding of the present invention and are not intended to, and should not be construed to, limit the invention in any way. All alternatives, modifications and equivalents that may become obvious to those of ordinary skill on reading the disclosure are included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0026] This disclosure is not a primer on preventing, diagnosing or treating aneurysms, basic concepts known to those skilled in the field of medical sciences and immunology have not been set forth in detail. Concepts such as choosing appropriate antigen, antibody reaction time and storage of aneurysms cells are readily determinable by those skilled in the industry and are generally described in the prior art. Attention is therefore directed to the appropriate texts and references known to those skilled in the art in regard to these matters.

[0027] The present invention is based on the discovery that T-lymphocytes from human aneurysm tissue have reactivity to the key structural protein collagen. It has been discovered that T-lymphocytes derived from human blood, for example, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) are also reactive with collagen in aneurysm patients.

[0028] Lymphocytes are white blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each); those with characteristics of neither major class are called null cells. T-lymphocytes are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified-cytotoxic and helper T-lymphocytes. They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the thymus gland and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen. T-lymphocytes as used herein includes, but is not limited to, cytotoxic and helper T-lymphocytes.

[0029] The present invention provides isolated or purified T-lymphocyte derived from blood, such as for example, peripheral blood in a patient with AAA disease, the T-lymphocyte is specifically reactive with collagen I or collagen III, fragment, or combination thereof. The blood can be obtained from any part of the body, such as for example, central or peripheral blood vessels such as capillaries, arteries or veins. In the most preferred embodiment, the blood is peripheral blood.

[0030] Isolation of the T-lymphocyte can be accomplished using any method known in the art. Preferably, the T-lymphocyte may be isolated directly from cells, such as for example, abdominal aortic tissue, blood, lymphatic cells, and the like. T-lymphocytes may be isolated from solutions of solubilized fraction by standard methods known in the art. Some suitable methods include gradient separation, antibody bead separation (positive and/or negatively selecting) and flow cytometric separation.

[0031] T-lymphocytes of the present invention can be purified by methods known in the art. In the present invention, culture methods were employed that were favorable to T lymphocyte proliferation. Further purification methods can be undertaken as discussed above. Preferably, the T-lymphocyte is at least 60% free, preferably at least 65% free and, more preferably, at least 75% free of other cells.

[0032] It has been discovered that the T-lymphocytes of the present invention are specifically reactive with collagen, for example, collagen I, collagen III, fragment or combination thereof. Collagen is a polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of skin, connective tissue, and the organic substance of bones and teeth. Different forms of collagen are produced in the body but all consist of three alpha-polypeptide chains arranged in a triple helix. Collagen is differentiated from other fibrous proteins, such as elastin, by the content of proline, hydroxyproline, and hydroxylysine; by the absence of tryptophan; and particularly by the high content of polar groups, which are responsible for its swelling properties. For purposes of the present invention, collagen can be obtained from natural sources or it can be chemically or biologically synthesized by methods known in the art.

[0033] Collagen I is composed of two α1(I) and one α2(I) chain while collagen III is composed of three α1 (III) fragments. These are included in their precursor amino acid sequences. Extensive posttranslational modification of these peptides includes cleavage of signal peptide, hydroxylation of selected prolines, addition of N-linked oligosaccharides, and glycosylation of hydroxylysine residues, chain alignment and formation of disulfide bonds, triple-helical formation and completion of O-linked oligosaccharides. The homology of procollagen chains as judged by identical residues is 51% with α1(I) and α1(III) and 45% with α2(1) and α1(III).

[0034] Collagen I is an art recognized term and includes human collagen I that has two α1(I) chains (SEQ ID NO:1 from the NCBI Protein Sequence Listing Accession Number P02452, herein incorporated by reference). Collagen I also includes one α2(I) chain (SEQ ID NO: 2 from the NCBI Protein Sequence Listing Accession Number P08123, herein incorporated by reference). Collagen III is an art recognized term and includes human collagen III that has three α2(III) fragments (SEQ ID NO:3 from the NCBI Protein Sequence Listing Accession Number PO2461, herein incorporated by reference).

[0035] T-lymphocytes may specifically react with collagen, for example, the entire protein of collagen I or collagen III. The protein may be the entire protein as it exists in nature, or an antigenic, preferably immunogenic, fragment of the whole collagen I or collagen III protein. Fragments include less than entire collagen I or collagen III sequence provided the fragment is antigenic and T-lymphocytes will specifically react with the fragment. These antigenic and/or immunogenic fragments of antigenic and/or immunogenic proteins may be identified by methods known in the art. Fragments containing antigenic sequences of collagen I or collagen III may be selected on the basis of generally accepted criteria of potential antigenicity and/or exposure. Methods for isolating and identifying antigenic fragments from known antigenic proteins are well known in the art.

[0036] Collagen I, collagen III or fragment thereof are epitopes for the T-lymphocytes. Epitopes include antigenic determinants recognized and bound by the T-cell receptor. Epitopes recognized by the T-cell receptor are often located in the inner, unexposed side of the antigen, and become accessible to the T-cell receptors after proteolytic processing of the antigen. Preferred epitopes of the present invention include collagen I, collagen III, fragment or combination thereof derived from AAA tissue.

[0037] Surface sites on the T-lymphocytes of the present invention bind specifically with antigenic determinants on collagen I, collagen III or fragment thereof and induce an immune response. Typically, the immune response involves the release or inhibition of biologically active substances whose activities affect or play a role in the functioning of the immune system. The immune response is mediated by antigen-sensitized T-lymphocytes via lymphokines, enzymatic secretion or direct cytotoxicity. This may take place in the absence of circulating antibody or where antibody plays a subordinate role. The immune response may include direction of further immunologic responses and/or the release or inhibition of inflammatory mediators such cytokines and biologically active substances such as for example, interferon. The immune response may also include the proliferation or inhibition of T-lymphocytes in response to collagen I, collagen III, fragment or combination thereof. The immune response includes stimulation or inhibition of cytokines and/or interferons. For purposes of the present invention, cytokines include non-antibody proteins secreted by inflammatory leukocytes such as T-lymphocytes that act as intercellular mediators. They differ from classical hormones in that they are produced by a number of tissue or cell types rather than by specialized glands. They generally act locally in a paracrine or autocrine rather than endocrine manner. Interferons include proteins secreted by vertebrate cells such as for example T-lymphocytes, in response to a wide variety of inducers. They confer resistance against many different viruses, inhibit proliferation of normal and malignant cells, impede multiplication of intracellular parasites, enhance macrophage and granulocyte phagocytosis, augment natural killer cell activity, and show several other immunomodulatory functions.

[0038] In the present invention, T-lymphocytes derived from blood, for example, PBL of AAA patients are reactive with collagen I, collagen III, fragments thereof, or combination thereof. Thus, with this discovery, methods of diagnosing, preventing or treating AAA or rupture can be employed.

[0039] Abdominal aortic aneurysm or AAA disease includes an aneurysm in the part of the aorta continuing from the thoracic region and giving rise to the inferior phrenic, lumbar, median sacral, mesenteric, renal, iliac and ovarian or testicular arteries. Typically, aortic aneurysms are a sac or expansion of the aortic wall formed by the dilatation of the wall of the aorta. In severe cases the AAA can rupture or tear the aortic tissue creating a life-threatening medical emergency where there is profuse bleeding into the abdominal cavity. Ruptured aneurysms occur more frequently in patients with larger (>5 cm) aneurysms. The present invention is not intended to be limited to AAA, the present invention can be used to prevent, tolerize, diagnose and treat aneurysms in other areas of the body including iliac, femoral, thoracic and peripheral vessels.

[0040] In one embodiment, the present invention can be used to diagnose a mammal with AAA disease or rupture or be used to determining the mammal's risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture comprising: obtaining a sample of blood T-lymphocytes from the mammal, isolating and culturing these T lymphocytes and incubating the sample under suitable conditions so as to react the T-lymphocytes with collagen I, collagen III, epitope thereof or combination thereof, and determining the reactivity of the T-lymphocytes with collagen I, collagen III, epitope thereof or combination thereof by measuring cytokine release or T-lymphocyte proliferations, wherein cytokine release indicates increased risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture. T-lymphocyte reactivity can also be measure by, for example, flow cytometric measured association of collagen I, collagen III and/or an epitope thereof to the T-lymphocytes.

[0041] Suitable conditions for incubation have been experimentally evaluated and established and include techniques that would be used by those skilled in the art of immunology and include appropriate cell culture, growth media, temperature and the like. In any event, the present invention is not limited to any one particular incubation condition.

[0042] The present invention can be used to diagnosis AAA disease or rupture. Diagnosis includes the determination of the nature of AAA disease or rupture. Risk for developing AAA disease includes assessing an individual's propensity for AAA disease or rupture.

[0043] With the recognition that T-lymphocytes react with collagen, collagen I, collagen III, or fragment thereof, diagnostic assays can be made. Assays for detecting T-lymphocyte activity or collagen activity can follow known formats such as for example, T lymphocyte proliferative assays, flow cytometry and cytokine secretion assays or such as standard blot and ELISA formats. ELISA formats are normally based on incubating an antibody with a sample suspected of containing the T-lymphocyte or collagen and detecting the presence of a complex between the antibody and the protein (i.e., T-lymphocyte or collagen). The antibody is labeled either before, during, or after the incubation step. The protein is preferably immobilized prior to detection. Immobilization may be accomplished by directly binding the protein to a solid surface, such as a microtiter well, or by binding the protein to immobilized antibodies. In a preferred embodiment, a protein is immobilized on a solid support through an immobilized first antibody specific for the protein. The immobilized first antibody is incubated with a sample suspected of containing the protein. If present, the protein binds to the first antibody. A second antibody, also specific for the protein, binds to the immobilized protein. The second antibody may be labeled by methods known in the art. Non-immobilized materials are washed away, and the presence of immobilized label indicates the presence of the protein. These types of assays can also be used to measure increases or decreases in cytokine, interferon and or T-lymphocyte proliferation.

[0044] With the recognition that T-lymphocytes react with collagen, collagen I, collagen III, fragment, or combination thereof, assays for detecting T-lymphocyte activity or collagen activity can follow FACS formats. These formats are normally used to detect cell surface antigens. Briefly, the protein of interest (for example protein on CD4, CD8, collagen) on an intact whole cell is recognized by a fluorescent labeled antibody, then flows thru a detection machine that counts the labeled cells.

[0045] Assays that detect cytokine or GM CSF release can be employed using known formats. In one embodiment of the present invention, T-lymphocyte cells are grown in culture, and exposed to various antigens such as collagen (i.e., collagen I, II, III, fragment or combination thereof). The supernatant fluid from the growing cells contains released cytokines (i.e., interferon) or colony stimulating factor (i.e., GM CSF). These released substances are detected by standard ELISA, where, for example, wells are coated with antibody specific to interferon or GM CSF, supernatants suspected of containing interferon or GM CSF are incubated on the wells, then washed and reacted with biotin-labeled anti-IFN or GM CSF antibodies. The level of the label detected reflects the level of the cytokine or GM CSF in the cell supernatant, and the level of cytokine or GM CSF made by the cells.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, T-lymphocytes reactivity to collagen I, collagen III or fragment thereof, includes measuring proliferation of blood T-lymphocytes. Any method known in the art can be used to measure blood T-lymphocyte proliferation. These methods include measuring radioactive and non-radioactive label in newly formed DNA. One particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a non-radioactive label for measuring T-lymphocyte reactivity. This method includes measuring BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) incorporation into newly formed DNA. For example, T-lymphocyte cells are cultured and various antigens are added (i.e. collagen I, collagen III, elastin). BrdU incorporation into newly synthesized DNA in the cells is measured. The higher concentration of BrdU incorporation means more new synthesized DNA and thus more cell proliferation.

[0047] The present invention is not limited to any particular label. Labels useful for the present invention include radioactive and non-radioactive labels known in the art. Some examples of useful radioactive labels include ³²P, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, and ³H. Some examples of non-radioactive labels include enzymes, chromophores, atoms and molecules detectable by electron microscopy, and metal ions detectable by their magnetic properties. Some useful enzymatic labels include enzymes that cause a detectable change in a substrate. Some useful enzymes and their substrates include, for example, horseradish peroxidase (pyrogallol and o-phenylenediamine), beta-galactosidase (fluorescein beta-D-galactopyranoside), and alkaline phosphatase (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate/nitro blue tetrazolium), and the like. Useful chromophores include, for example, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, and bioluminescent molecules, as well as dyes. Some specific chromophores useful in the present invention include, for example, fluorescein, rhodamine, Texas red, phycoerythrin, umbelliferone, luminol.

[0048] As used in the present invention, the term “detecting” refers to identification of a detectable moiety or label that may be on the protein by methods known in the art. Some suitable detection methods include the ability to identify a moiety by electromagnetic characteristics, such as, for example, charge, light, fluorescence, chemiluminescense, changes in electromagnetic characteristics such as, for example, fluorescence polarization, light polarization, dichroism, light scattering, changes in refractive index, reflection, infrared, ultraviolet, and visible spectra, and all manner of detection technologies dependent upon electromagnetic radiation.

[0049] The protein collagen I, collagen III, fragment thereof, or combination thereof has been found, unexpectedly, to be antigenic for T-lymphocytes. Thus, collagen I, collagen III or fragments thereof or combination thereof, can be used to vaccinate/tolerize or protect the mammal from AAA disease or rupture. Vaccines include antigenic proteins of collagen I, collagen III, fragments or combination thereof, preferably derived from AAA, or synthetically constructed AAA, that are administered for the prevention, amelioration, or treatment of AAA. Disease is significantly inhibited in vivo if the inhibition is sufficient to prevent or reduce the symptoms or expansion of AAA in a mammal.

[0050] Vaccines comprising the collagen, collagen I, collagen III, or functional analogs thereof may be used to prevent or inhibit rupture or AAA (i.e., dilatation of the wall of the aorta in accordance with the invention). Functional analogs of the collagen protein for this purpose include fragments and substitution, addition or deletion that produce an immune response in a mammal. To be useful, the vaccine is non-toxic to the mammal being immunized. If the vaccine is toxic, it may be detoxified by methods known in the art. Such methods include, for example, providing antigenic, non-toxic fragments of the entire protein or detoxifying a protein by, for example, binding the toxin to a carrier molecule that destroys toxicity, but does not affect antigenicity. The carrier molecule is typically another protein. The vaccine may be the full-length protein or a fragment thereof. The length of the fragment is not critical as long as the fragment is immunogenic and non-toxic. Therefore, the fragment should contain sufficient amino acid residues to define the epitope.

[0051] The present invention further includes vaccine compositions for immunizing mammals, including humans, to prevent AAA or rupture by administering an effective amount of collagen, collagen I, collagen III or epitope thereof isolated from abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue, the collagen is capable of producing an immune response in a mammal. Vaccine compositions include an immunogenic antigen i.e., collagen I or collagen III or fragment thereof as described above in a suitable carrier. The vaccine may include adjuvants, such as muramyl peptides, and lymphokines, such as, interleukin-1 and interleukin-6. The antigen may be adsorbed on suitable particles, such as aluminum oxide particles, or encapsulated in liposomes, as is known in the art.

[0052] Tolerizing includes the specific lack of immune responsiveness to the antigen, (i.e., collagen I, collagen III or fragment thereot) as a result of prior contact with the collagen. Thus, the individual can develop tolerance to the AAA disease by administering repeated doses of collagen I, collagen III, fragment or combination thereof. The term “tolerizer” includes a tolerizing dose of collagen I, collagen III, fragment or combination thereof.

[0053] The present invention includes administering an effective amount of collagen, collagen I, collagen III or fragment thereof. As used herein, an effective amount is that amount effective to achieve the specified result of preventing or treating AAA disease or rupture. Preferably, AAA or rupture is prevented or treated without serious side effects.

[0054] The maximal dosage for preventing or treating a mammal having AAA is the highest dosage that does not cause undesirable or intolerable side effects. Minimal dosage is the lowest dosage where efficacy is first observed. In accordance with the present invention, the dosage unit can be in any form. As will be apparent to the skilled artisan, the concentration of the collagen, collagen I, collagen III or fragment will vary with the choice of administration to the mammal. For example, if the collagen, collagen I, collagen III or fragment thereof is administered by injection to the mammal, the dosage unit is a syringe containing an effective amount of the collagen. An effective amount of the collagen, collagen I, collagen III or fragment thereof for systemic administration can range from about 0.01 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg administered once or twice per day. However, different dosing schedules can be utilized depending on (i) the potency of an individual collagen at inhibiting AAA or rupture, (ii) the severity or extent of the pathological disease state, or (iii) the pharmacokinetic behavior of a given collagen. In any event, the practitioner is guided by skill and knowledge in the field, and the present invention includes without limitation dosages, which are effective to achieve the described effect.

[0055] The method of the present invention includes administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising collagen, collagen I, collagen III or fragment in an amount which is effective for preventing or treating AAA or rupture. Pharmaceutical compositions include the collagen, collagen I, collagen III or fragment in a suitable dosage form such as for example, injection, oral formulations such as tablets, capsules, pills, troches, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, chewing gum and the like can be employed to provide the desired amount of collagen, collagen I, collagen III or fragment. Alternatively, delivery of the collagen includes topical application, such as gels, salves, lotions, creams ointments and the like.

[0056] The methods of the present also include preventing or treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent that inhibits T-lymphocyte reactivity with collagen I or collagen III or epitope thereof, thereby preventing or treating the abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture. Suitable immunosuppressive agents will inhibit T-lymphocytes from releasing cytokines, interferons and undesirable biologically active substance that contribute to AAA or rupture. Immunosuppressive agents include, but are not limited to, azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, prednisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone, cortisone and combinations thereof. These immunosuppressive agents can be administered in different routes and dosage forms as discussed above.

[0057] Other methods for the prevention or treatment of AAA or rupture include administering antibodies that are raised against and block epitopes of collagen, collagen I or collagen III or fragments thereof. An “antibody” in accordance with the present specification is defined broadly as a protein that binds specifically to an epitope. The antibody may be polyclonal or monoclonal. Antibodies further include recombinant polyclonal or monoclonal Fab fragments prepared in accordance with the method known in the art. Polyclonal antibodies are isolated from mammals that have been innoculated with the protein or a functional analog in accordance with methods known in the art. Briefly, polyclonal antibodies may produced by injecting a host mammal, such as a rabbit, mouse, rat, or goat, with the protein or a fragment thereof capable of producing antibodies that distinguish between mutant and wild-type protein. The peptide or peptide fragment injected may contain the wild-type sequence or the mutant sequence. Sera from the mammal are extracted and screened to obtain polyclonal antibodies that are specific to the peptide or peptide fragment.

[0058] Preferred antibodies have reactivity against collagen, collagen I, collagen III or epitope thereof. The antibodies are preferably monoclonal. Monoclonal antibodies may be produced by methods known in the art. For example, in order to produce monoclonal antibodies, a host mammal is inoculated with a peptide or peptide fragment as described above, and then boosted. Spleens are collected from inoculated mammals a few days after the final boost. Cell suspensions from the spleens are fused with a tumor cell and monoclonal antibodies are generated from the fused cells.

[0059] The present invention includes kits for determining an individual's risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture, comprising a container and a monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with peripheral blood or AAA tissue T-lymphocyte or collagen, collagen I, collagen III, fragment or combination thereof. The kit may include commercially prepared reagent sets, with accessory devices, containing all of the major components and literature necessary to perform one or more designated diagnostic tests or procedures. They may be for laboratory or personal use.

[0060] Having now generally described the invention, the same may be more readily understood through the following reference to the following example, which IS provided by way of illustration and IS not intended to limit the present invention unless specified.

EXAMPLE

[0061] The example below demonstrates the presence of T lymphocytes derived from the peripheral blood of AAA patients that have reactivity to collagen I and III. This further recognition of this reactivity is also observed in AAA tissue derived T lymphocytes.

Example 1 T Lymphocyte Reactivity of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes (PBL) in AAA Patients

[0062] Patient Demographics: AAA PBL were obtained from patients 75 to 79 years of age with AAA sizes from 4.6 to 7.6 cm. One female and three male patients were tested. Atherosclerotic risk factors in all the four patients were hypertension and a history of tobacco use. The AAA patient employed had a 5.0 cm AAA and was 68 years old. Atherosclerotic risk factors in this patients were hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and past tobacco use.

[0063] Cultures: PBL were prepared from whole blood with Lympholyte Separation Medium (Organon Teknika Corp., Durham, N.C.). “LONG TERM” cultures were initiated on 24-well plates (Costar, Cambridge, Mass.) coated with OKT-3 using a coating buffer. Cells were grown in complete media consisting of RPMI-1640, 10% fetal calf serum, antibiotics, 20 mM HEPES buffer, 2 mM L-glutamine and 200 U/ml interleukin-2. Cultures were counted (with trypan blue exclusion), split and/or fed at least every 4 days and were initially left on OKT-3 coated plates for 48 to 72 hours.

[0064] Aortic Tissue Preparation: AAA tissue and normal aortic tissue was minced into 1 to 5 mm fragments and subjected to an 18 to 24 hour triple enzyme digest using 4 mg of deoxyribonuclease, 40 mg of collagenase and 100 U of hyaluronidase (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.). Digests were filtered through a nylon mesh and washed in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS). “LONG TERM” cultures were initiated on 24-well plates (Costar, Cambridge, Mass.) coated with OKT-3 using a coating buffer. Cells were grown in complete media consisting of RPMI-1640, 10% fetal calf serum, antibiotics, 20 mM HEPES buffer, 2 mM L-glutamine and 200 U/ml interleukin-2. Cultures were counted (with trypan blue exclusion), split and/or fed at least every 4 days and were initially left on OKT-3 coated plates for 48 to 72 hours.

[0065] Proliferation Assays: PBL cells and AAA derived lymphocytes were cultured for 12 to 14 days (“LONG TERM”) were harvested and plated in 96-well flat bottomed plates (Costar) in complete medium. Cells were plated in 0.2 ml total volume. Human collagen I, human collagen III (Sigma) and human elastin (Elastin Products, Inc., Owensville, Mo.) were added to a final concentration of 1 mg/ml. OKT-3 (CD-3) was employed as a positive control. An equal number of feeders that had been previously treated with mitomycin C were added. PBL feeders were prepared from whole blood with Lympholyte Separation Medium (Organon Teknika Corp., Durham, N.C.) and had been frozen in an aliquot at the time of the initial blood collection. BUDR incorporation was tested after 24 hours incubation at 37° C.

[0066] Results of Example 1

[0067] As shown in FIG. 1, proliferation against collagen I and III was observed in cells cultured from PBL in patients with AAA disease. This was at least six fold greater than proliferation with elastin or no antigen. Similar trend were noted in a two other assays where collagen III was observed to give a 1.7 times proliferative response over baseline. Collagen I had a 1.9 times proliferative response in one of these cultures. A fourth culture was not proliferative to a significant extent--consistent with the results one would expect with nonspecifically generated cultures. In no case did elastin stimulate proliferative responses above baseline (n=3) (See Table 1). Of note, similar proliferative responses were seen in AAA generated cultures (FIG. 2) that were tested and did appear to correlate with the prior cytokine release results in their pattern.

[0068] Discussion of Example 1

[0069] In this report, it is shown that T lymphocytes from derived from peripheral blood in AAA patients are reactive to collagen I and III. Other work has recognized this reactivity in T lymphocytes derived directly from AAA tissue, that presenting cells are necessary for this T lymphocyte reactivity which is class I restrictive and that the necessary presenting cells are present in AAA tissue. We believe that this work outlines a significant destructive role for T lymphocytes in AAA disease.

[0070] Collagen I and III are important structural proteins in human abdominal aortic tissue. Some researchers suggest that collagen is important in the burst strength of the aorta and therefore may be more important in aortic rupture than elastin, which has been associated with dilatation. This may suggest that T lymphocyte reactivity is one of the causes leading to aneurysm rupture.

[0071] The cross reactivity observed with collagen I and III is not unexpected. Both collagen I and III are group 1 collagen molecules with a significant homology. The homology of procollagen chains as judged by identical residues is 51% with α1 (I) and α1 (III) and 45% with α2 (I) and α1 (III). Further, T cell recognition of collagen II has been shown to involve recognition of carbohydrates bound to the collagen. Similar post-translational modification of collagen I and III could be important in their recognition by AAA patient derived cells.

[0072] The role of T lymphocytes in atherosclerosis appears to be different than that in AAA disease. Some researchers have reported that CD4+ T cell clones derived from atherosclerosis plaques have increased proliferation with exposure to oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL). We have not tested our polyclonal populations from AAA for reactivity to oxLDL, but, our results taken with this prior report suggests an alternative role for T lymphocytes in AAA disease, that may be central initiation and propagation of aneurysmal disease.

[0073] While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice thin the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as follows. TABLE #1 PBL Derived T Lymphocyte Responses in AAA Patients FOLD PROLIFERATION Collagen I Collagen III Elastin CD3 Patient #1 1.9 1.7 1.1 1.6 Patient #2 7.3 6.1 0.67 5.8 Patient #3 0.98 1.0 0.82 1.3 Patient #4 1.2 1.7 ND 0.88

[0074]

1 3 1 1464 PRT Homo Sapien 1 Met Phe Ser Phe Val Asp Leu Arg Leu Leu Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Thr 1 5 10 15 Ala Leu Leu Thr His Gly Gln Glu Glu Gly Gln Val Glu Gly Gln Asp 20 25 30 Glu Asp Ile Pro Pro Ile Thr Cys Val Gln Asn Gly Leu Arg Tyr His 35 40 45 Asp Arg Asp Val Trp Lys Pro Glu Pro Cys Arg Ile Cys Val Cys Asp 50 55 60 Asn Gly Lys Val Leu Cys Asp Asp Val Ile Cys Asp Glu Thr Lys Asn 65 70 75 80 Cys Pro Gly Ala Glu Val Pro Glu Gly Glu Cys Cys Pro Val Cys Pro 85 90 95 Asp Gly Ser Glu Ser Pro Thr Asp Gln Glu Thr Thr Gly Val Glu Gly 100 105 110 Pro Lys Gly Asp Thr Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro 115 120 125 Pro Gly Arg Asp Gly Ile Pro Gly Gln Pro Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro Pro 130 135 140 Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Leu Gly Gly Asn Phe Ala 145 150 155 160 Pro Gln Leu Ser Tyr Gly Tyr Asp Glu Lys Ser Thr Gly Gly Ile Ser 165 170 175 Val Pro Gly Pro Met Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Arg Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro 180 185 190 Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Phe Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Glu Pro 195 200 205 Gly Glu Pro Gly Ala Ser Gly Pro Met Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Pro Gly 210 215 220 Pro Pro Gly Lys Asn Gly Asp Asp Gly Glu Ala Gly Lys Pro Gly Arg 225 230 235 240 Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Ala Arg Gly Leu Pro 245 250 255 Gly Thr Ala Gly Leu Pro Gly Met Lys Gly His Arg Gly Phe Ser Gly 260 265 270 Leu Asp Gly Ala Lys Gly Asp Ala Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Lys Gly Glu 275 280 285 Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Glu Asn Gly Ala Pro Gly Gln Met Gly Pro Arg 290 295 300 Gly Leu Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Arg Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly 305 310 315 320 Ala Arg Gly Asn Asp Gly Ala Thr Gly Ala Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro 325 330 335 Thr Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Phe Pro Gly Ala Val Gly Ala Lys 340 345 350 Gly Glu Ala Gly Pro Gln Gly Pro Arg Gly Ser Glu Gly Pro Gln Gly 355 360 365 Val Arg Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Ala Ala Gly Pro 370 375 380 Ala Gly Asn Pro Gly Ala Asp Gly Gln Pro Gly Ala Lys Gly Ala Asn 385 390 395 400 Gly Ala Pro Gly Ile Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Phe Pro Gly Ala Arg Gly 405 410 415 Pro Ser Gly Pro Gln Gly Pro Gly Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Lys Gly Asn 420 425 430 Ser Gly Glu Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser Lys Gly Asp Thr Gly Ala Lys 435 440 445 Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro Val Gly Val Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly 450 455 460 Glu Glu Gly Lys Arg Gly Ala Arg Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro Thr Gly Leu 465 470 475 480 Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Gly Pro Gly Ser Arg Gly Phe Pro 485 490 495 Gly Ala Asp Gly Val Ala Gly Pro Lys Gly Pro Ala Gly Glu Arg Gly 500 505 510 Ser Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Lys Gly Ser Pro Gly Glu Ala Gly Arg 515 520 525 Pro Gly Glu Ala Gly Leu Pro Gly Ala Lys Gly Leu Thr Gly Ser Pro 530 535 540 Gly Ser Pro Gly Pro Asp Gly Lys Thr Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly 545 550 555 560 Gln Asp Gly Arg Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Arg Gly Gln 565 570 575 Ala Gly Val Met Gly Phe Pro Gly Pro Lys Gly Ala Ala Gly Glu Pro 580 585 590 Gly Lys Ala Gly Glu Arg Gly Val Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Val Gly 595 600 605 Pro Ala Gly Lys Asp Gly Glu Ala Gly Ala Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro 610 615 620 Ala Gly Pro Ala Gly Glu Arg Gly Glu Gln Gly Pro Ala Gly Ser Pro 625 630 635 640 Gly Phe Gln Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Glu Ala Gly 645 650 655 Lys Pro Gly Glu Gln Gly Val Pro Gly Asp Leu Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro 660 665 670 Ser Gly Ala Arg Gly Glu Arg Gly Phe Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Val Gln 675 680 685 Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Arg Gly Ala Asn Gly Ala Pro Gly 690 695 700 Asn Asp Gly Ala Lys Gly Asp Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser 705 710 715 720 Gln Gly Ala Pro Gly Leu Gln Gly Met Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Ala Ala 725 730 735 Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro Lys Gly Asp Arg Gly Asp Ala Gly Pro Lys Gly 740 745 750 Ala Asp Gly Ser Pro Gly Lys Asp Gly Val Arg Gly Leu Thr Gly Pro 755 760 765 Ile Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Asp Lys Gly Glu Ser 770 775 780 Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Thr Gly Ala Arg Gly Ala Pro Gly 785 790 795 800 Asp Arg Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Phe Ala Gly Pro 805 810 815 Pro Gly Ala Asp Gly Gln Pro Gly Ala Lys Gly Glu Pro Gly Asp Ala 820 825 830 Gly Ala Lys Gly Asp Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Ala Gly 835 840 845 Pro Pro Gly Pro Ile Gly Asn Val Gly Ala Pro Gly Ala Lys Gly Ala 850 855 860 Arg Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Thr Gly Phe Pro Gly Ala Ala 865 870 875 880 Gly Arg Val Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ser Gly Asn Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly 885 890 895 Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Lys Glu Gly Gly Lys Gly Pro Arg Gly Glu 900 905 910 Thr Gly Pro Ala Gly Arg Pro Gly Glu Val Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro 915 920 925 Gly Pro Ala Gly Glu Lys Gly Ser Pro Gly Ala Asp Gly Pro Ala Gly 930 935 940 Ala Pro Gly Thr Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Ile Ala Gly Gln Arg Gly Val 945 950 955 960 Val Gly Leu Pro Gly Gln Arg Gly Glu Arg Gly Phe Pro Gly Leu Pro 965 970 975 Gly Pro Ser Gly Glu Pro Gly Lys Gln Gly Pro Ser Gly Ala Ser Gly 980 985 990 Glu Arg Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Met Gly Pro Pro Gly Leu Ala Gly Pro 995 1000 1005 Pro Gly Glu Ser Gly Arg Glu Gly Ala Pro Gly Ala Glu Gly Ser Pro 1010 1015 1020 Gly Arg Asp Gly Ser Pro Gly Ala Lys Gly Asp Arg Gly Glu Thr Gly 1025 1030 1035 1040 Pro Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro 1045 1050 1055 Val Gly Pro Ala Gly Lys Ser Gly Asp Arg Gly Glu Thr Gly Pro Ala 1060 1065 1070 Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Val Gly Pro Ala Gly Ala Arg Gly Pro Ala Gly 1075 1080 1085 Pro Gln Gly Pro Arg Gly Asp Lys Gly Glu Thr Gly Glu Gln Gly Asp 1090 1095 1100 Arg Gly Ile Lys Gly His Arg Gly Phe Ser Gly Leu Gln Gly Pro Pro 1105 1110 1115 1120 Gly Pro Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Glu Gln Gly Pro Ser Gly Ala Ser Gly 1125 1130 1135 Pro Ala Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Pro Gly Ser Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Lys 1140 1145 1150 Asp Gly Leu Asn Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro Ile Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Arg 1155 1160 1165 Gly Arg Thr Gly Asp Ala Gly Pro Val Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly 1170 1175 1180 Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Ser Ala Gly Phe Asp Phe Ser Phe 1185 1190 1195 1200 Leu Pro Gln Pro Pro Gln Glu Lys Ala His Asp Gly Gly Arg Tyr Tyr 1205 1210 1215 Arg Ala Asp Asp Ala Asn Val Val Arg Asp Arg Asp Leu Glu Val Asp 1220 1225 1230 Thr Thr Leu Lys Ser Leu Ser Gln Gln Ile Glu Asn Ile Arg Ser Pro 1235 1240 1245 Glu Gly Ser Arg Lys Asn Pro Ala Arg Thr Cys Arg Asp Leu Lys Met 1250 1255 1260 Cys His Ser Asp Trp Lys Ser Gly Glu Tyr Trp Ile Asp Pro Asn Gln 1265 1270 1275 1280 Gly Cys Asn Leu Asp Ala Ile Lys Val Phe Cys Asn Met Glu Thr Gly 1285 1290 1295 Glu Thr Cys Val Tyr Pro Thr Gln Pro Ser Val Ala Gln Lys Asn Trp 1300 1305 1310 Tyr Ile Ser Lys Asn Pro Lys Asp Lys Arg His Val Trp Phe Gly Glu 1315 1320 1325 Ser Met Thr Asp Gly Phe Gln Phe Glu Tyr Gly Gly Gln Gly Ser Asp 1330 1335 1340 Pro Ala Asp Val Ala Ile Gln Leu Thr Phe Leu Arg Leu Met Ser Thr 1345 1350 1355 1360 Glu Ala Ser Gln Asn Ile Thr Tyr His Cys Lys Asn Ser Val Ala Tyr 1365 1370 1375 Met Asp Gln Gln Thr Gly Asn Leu Lys Lys Ala Leu Leu Leu Lys Gly 1380 1385 1390 Ser Asn Glu Ile Glu Ile Arg Ala Glu Gly Asn Ser Arg Phe Thr Tyr 1395 1400 1405 Ser Val Thr Val Asp Gly Cys Thr Ser His Thr Gly Ala Trp Gly Lys 1410 1415 1420 Thr Val Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Thr Lys Thr Ser Arg Leu Pro Ile Ile 1425 1430 1435 1440 Asp Val Ala Pro Leu Asp Val Gly Ala Pro Asp Gln Glu Phe Gly Phe 1445 1450 1455 Asp Val Gly Pro Val Cys Phe Leu 1460 2 1366 PRT Homo Sapien 2 Met Leu Ser Phe Val Asp Thr Arg Thr Leu Leu Leu Leu Ala Val Thr 1 5 10 15 Leu Cys Leu Ala Thr Cys Gln Ser Leu Gln Glu Glu Thr Val Arg Lys 20 25 30 Gly Pro Ala Gly Asp Arg Gly Pro Arg Gly Glu Arg Gly Pro Pro Gly 35 40 45 Pro Pro Gly Arg Asp Gly Glu Asp Gly Pro Thr Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro 50 55 60 Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Leu Gly Gly Asn Phe Ala Ala Gln 65 70 75 80 Tyr Asp Gly Lys Gly Val Gly Leu Gly Pro Gly Pro Met Gly Leu Met 85 90 95 Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly 100 105 110 Phe Gln Gly Pro Ala Gly Glu Pro Gly Glu Pro Gly Gln Thr Gly Pro 115 120 125 Ala Gly Ala Arg Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Lys Ala Gly Glu Asp 130 135 140 Gly His Pro Gly Lys Pro Gly Arg Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Val Val Gly 145 150 155 160 Pro Gln Gly Ala Arg Gly Phe Pro Gly Thr Pro Gly Leu Pro Gly Phe 165 170 175 Lys Gly Ile Arg Gly His Asn Gly Leu Asp Gly Leu Lys Gly Gln Pro 180 185 190 Gly Ala Pro Gly Val Lys Gly Glu Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Glu Asn Gly 195 200 205 Thr Pro Gly Gln Thr Gly Ala Arg Gly Leu Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Arg 210 215 220 Val Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Ala Arg Gly Ser Asp Gly Ser Val 225 230 235 240 Gly Pro Val Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Asn Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly 245 250 255 Phe Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Lys Gly Glu Ile Gly Ala Val Gly Asn 260 265 270 Ala Gly Pro Thr Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Arg Gly Glu Val Gly Leu Pro 275 280 285 Gly Leu Ser Gly Pro Val Gly Pro Pro Gly Asn Pro Gly Ala Asn Gly 290 295 300 Leu Thr Gly Ala Lys Gly Ala Ala Gly Leu Pro Gly Val Ala Gly Ala 305 310 315 320 Pro Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro Arg Gly Ile Pro Gly Pro Val Gly Ala Ala 325 330 335 Gly Ala Thr Gly Ala Arg Gly Leu Val Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly 340 345 350 Ser Lys Gly Glu Ser Gly Asn Lys Gly Glu Pro Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro 355 360 365 Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ser Gly Glu Glu Gly Lys Arg Gly Pro Asn 370 375 380 Gly Glu Ala Gly Ser Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Leu Arg Gly 385 390 395 400 Ser Pro Gly Ser Arg Gly Leu Pro Gly Ala Asp Gly Arg Ala Gly Val 405 410 415 Met Gly Pro Pro Gly Ser Arg Gly Ala Ser Gly Pro Ala Gly Val Arg 420 425 430 Gly Pro Asn Gly Asp Ala Gly Arg Pro Gly Glu Pro Gly Leu Met Gly 435 440 445 Pro Arg Gly Leu Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Asn Ile Gly Pro Ala Gly Lys 450 455 460 Glu Gly Pro Val Gly Leu Pro Gly Ile Asp Gly Arg Pro Gly Pro Ile 465 470 475 480 Gly Pro Ala Gly Ala Arg Gly Glu Pro Gly Asn Ile Gly Phe Pro Gly 485 490 495 Pro Lys Gly Pro Thr Gly Asp Pro Gly Lys Asn Gly Asp Lys Gly His 500 505 510 Ala Gly Leu Ala Gly Ala Arg Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Asp Gly Asn Asn 515 520 525 Gly Ala Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Val Gln Gly Gly Lys Gly 530 535 540 Glu Gln Gly Pro Asp Gly Pro Pro Gly Phe Gln Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro 545 550 555 560 Ser Gly Pro Ala Gly Glu Val Gly Lys Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Leu His 565 570 575 Gly Glu Phe Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Arg Gly Glu Arg Gly 580 585 590 Pro Pro Gly Glu Ser Gly Ala Ala Gly Pro Thr Gly Pro Ile Gly Ser 595 600 605 Arg Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Asp Gly Asn Lys Gly Glu Pro 610 615 620 Gly Val Val Gly Ala Val Gly Thr Ala Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Ser Gly 625 630 635 640 Leu Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Ala Ala Gly Ile Pro Gly Gly Lys Gly Glu 645 650 655 Lys Gly Glu Pro Gly Leu Arg Gly Glu Ile Gly Asn Pro Gly Arg Asp 660 665 670 Gly Ala Arg Gly Ala His Gly Ala Val Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly 675 680 685 Ala Thr Gly Asp Arg Gly Glu Ala Gly Ala Ala Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro 690 695 700 Ala Gly Pro Arg Gly Ser Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Glu Val Gly Pro Ala 705 710 715 720 Gly Pro Asn Gly Phe Ala Gly Pro Ala Gly Ala Ala Gly Gln Pro Gly 725 730 735 Ala Lys Gly Glu Arg Gly Gly Lys Gly Pro Lys Gly Glu Asn Gly Val 740 745 750 Val Gly Pro Thr Gly Pro Val Gly Ala Ala Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Asn 755 760 765 Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Ser Arg Gly Asp Gly Gly Pro Pro Gly 770 775 780 Met Thr Gly Phe Pro Gly Ala Ala Gly Arg Thr Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro 785 790 795 800 Ser Gly Ile Ser Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Lys Glu 805 810 815 Gly Leu Arg Gly Pro Arg Gly Asp Gln Gly Pro Val Gly Arg Thr Gly 820 825 830 Glu Val Gly Ala Val Gly Pro Pro Gly Phe Ala Gly Glu Lys Gly Pro 835 840 845 Ser Gly Glu Ala Gly Thr Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Thr Pro Gly Pro Gln 850 855 860 Gly Leu Leu Gly Ala Pro Gly Ile Leu Gly Leu Pro Gly Ser Arg Gly 865 870 875 880 Glu Arg Gly Leu Pro Gly Val Ala Gly Ala Val Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro 885 890 895 Leu Gly Ile Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Arg Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Val 900 905 910 Gly Ser Pro Gly Val Asn Gly Ala Pro Gly Glu Ala Gly Arg Asp Gly 915 920 925 Asn Pro Gly Asn Asp Gly Pro Pro Gly Arg Asp Gly Gln Pro Gly His 930 935 940 Lys Gly Glu Arg Gly Tyr Pro Gly Asn Ile Gly Pro Val Gly Ala Ala 945 950 955 960 Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro His Gly Pro Val Gly Pro Ala Gly Lys His Gly 965 970 975 Asn Arg Gly Glu Thr Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Val Gly Pro Ala Gly Ala 980 985 990 Val Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Gln Gly Ile Arg Gly Asp Lys 995 1000 1005 Gly Glu Pro Gly Glu Lys Gly Pro Arg Gly Leu Pro Gly Phe Lys Gly 1010 1015 1020 His Asn Gly Leu Gln Gly Leu Pro Gly Ile Ala Gly His His Gly Asp 1025 1030 1035 1040 Gln Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser Val Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Ala 1045 1050 1055 Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Ala Gly Lys Asp Gly Arg Thr Gly His Pro Gly 1060 1065 1070 Thr Val Gly Pro Ala Gly Ile Arg Gly Pro Gln Gly His Gln Gly Pro 1075 1080 1085 Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Val Ser 1090 1095 1100 Gly Gly Gly Tyr Asp Phe Gly Tyr Asp Gly Asp Phe Tyr Arg Ala Asp 1105 1110 1115 1120 Gln Pro Arg Ser Ala Pro Ser Leu Arg Pro Lys Asp Tyr Glu Val Asp 1125 1130 1135 Ala Thr Leu Lys Ser Leu Asn Asn Gln Ile Glu Thr Leu Leu Thr Pro 1140 1145 1150 Glu Gly Ser Arg Lys Asn Pro Ala Arg Thr Cys Arg Asp Leu Arg Leu 1155 1160 1165 Ser His Pro Glu Trp Ser Ser Gly Tyr Tyr Trp Ile Asp Pro Asn Gln 1170 1175 1180 Gly Cys Thr Met Glu Ala Ile Lys Val Tyr Cys Asp Phe Pro Thr Gly 1185 1190 1195 1200 Glu Thr Cys Ile Arg Ala Gln Pro Glu Asn Ile Pro Ala Lys Asn Trp 1205 1210 1215 Tyr Arg Ser Ser Lys Asp Lys Lys His Val Trp Leu Gly Glu Thr Ile 1220 1225 1230 Asn Ala Gly Ser Gln Phe Glu Tyr Asn Val Glu Gly Val Thr Ser Lys 1235 1240 1245 Glu Met Ala Thr Gln Leu Ala Phe Met Arg Leu Leu Ala Asn Tyr Ala 1250 1255 1260 Ser Gln Asn Ile Thr Tyr His Cys Lys Asn Ser Ile Ala Tyr Met Asp 1265 1270 1275 1280 Glu Glu Thr Gly Asn Leu Lys Lys Ala Val Ile Leu Gln Gly Ser Asn 1285 1290 1295 Asp Val Glu Leu Val Ala Glu Gly Asn Ser Arg Phe Thr Tyr Thr Val 1300 1305 1310 Leu Val Asp Gly Cys Ser Lys Lys Thr Asn Glu Trp Gly Lys Thr Ile 1315 1320 1325 Ile Glu Tyr Lys Thr Asn Lys Pro Ser Arg Leu Pro Phe Leu Asp Ile 1330 1335 1340 Ala Pro Leu Asp Ile Gly Gly Ala Asp His Glu Phe Phe Val Asp Ile 1345 1350 1355 1360 Gly Pro Val Cys Phe Lys 1365 3 1466 PRT Homo Sapien 3 Met Met Ser Phe Val Gln Lys Gly Ser Trp Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu 1 5 10 15 His Pro Thr Ile Ile Leu Ala Gln Gln Glu Ala Val Glu Gly Gly Cys 20 25 30 Ser His Leu Gly Gln Ser Tyr Ala Asp Arg Asp Val Trp Lys Pro Glu 35 40 45 Pro Cys Gln Ile Cys Val Cys Asp Ser Gly Ser Val Leu Cys Asp Asp 50 55 60 Ile Ile Cys Asp Asp Gln Glu Leu Asp Cys Pro Asn Pro Glu Ile Pro 65 70 75 80 Phe Gly Glu Cys Cys Ala Val Cys Pro Gln Pro Pro Thr Ala Pro Thr 85 90 95 Arg Pro Pro Asn Gly Gln Gly Pro Gln Gly Pro Lys Gly Asp Pro Gly 100 105 110 Pro Pro Gly Ile Pro Gly Arg Asn Gly Asp Pro Gly Ile Pro Gly Gln 115 120 125 Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ile Cys Glu Ser Cys 130 135 140 Pro Thr Gly Pro Gln Asn Tyr Ser Pro Gln Tyr Asp Ser Tyr Asp Val 145 150 155 160 Lys Ser Gly Val Ala Val Gly Gly Leu Ala Gly Tyr Pro Gly Pro Ala 165 170 175 Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Thr Ser Gly His Pro Gly 180 185 190 Ser Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Tyr Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Glu Pro Gly Gln 195 200 205 Ala Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Ile Gly Pro Ser 210 215 220 Gly Pro Ala Gly Lys Asp Gly Glu Ser Gly Arg Pro Gly Arg Pro Gly 225 230 235 240 Glu Arg Gly Leu Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ile Lys Gly Pro Ala Gly Ile 245 250 255 Pro Gly Phe Pro Gly Met Lys Gly His Arg Gly Phe Asp Gly Arg Asn 260 265 270 Gly Glu Lys Gly Glu Thr Gly Ala Pro Gly Leu Lys Gly Glu Asn Gly 275 280 285 Leu Pro Gly Glu Asn Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Met Gly Pro Arg Gly Ala 290 295 300 Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Arg Pro Gly Leu Pro Gly Ala Ala Gly Ala Arg 305 310 315 320 Gly Asn Asp Gly Ala Arg Gly Ser Asp Gly Gln Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly 325 330 335 Pro Pro Gly Thr Ala Gly Phe Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Ala Lys Gly Glu 340 345 350 Val Gly Pro Ala Gly Ser Pro Gly Ser Asn Gly Ala Pro Gly Gln Arg 355 360 365 Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly His Ala Gly Ala Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly 370 375 380 Pro Pro Gly Ile Asn Gly Ser Pro Gly Gly Lys Gly Glu Met Gly Pro 385 390 395 400 Ala Gly Ile Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Leu Met Gly Ala Arg Gly Pro Pro 405 410 415 Gly Pro Ala Gly Ala Asn Gly Ala Pro Gly Leu Arg Gly Gly Ala Gly 420 425 430 Glu Pro Gly Lys Asn Gly Ala Lys Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro Arg Gly Glu 435 440 445 Arg Gly Glu Ala Gly Ile Pro Gly Val Pro Gly Ala Lys Gly Glu Asp 450 455 460 Gly Lys Asp Gly Ser Pro Gly Glu Pro Gly Ala Asn Gly Leu Pro Gly 465 470 475 480 Ala Ala Gly Glu Arg Gly Ala Pro Gly Phe Arg Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro 485 490 495 Asn Gly Ile Pro Gly Glu Lys Gly Pro Ala Gly Glu Arg Gly Ala Pro 500 505 510 Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Arg Gly Ala Ala Gly Glu Pro Gly Arg Asp Gly 515 520 525 Val Pro Gly Gly Pro Gly Met Arg Gly Met Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Gly 530 535 540 Pro Gly Ser Asp Gly Lys Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ser Gln Gly Glu Ser 545 550 555 560 Gly Arg Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Arg Gly Gln Pro Gly 565 570 575 Val Met Gly Phe Pro Gly Pro Lys Gly Asn Asp Gly Ala Pro Gly Lys 580 585 590 Asn Gly Glu Arg Gly Gly Pro Gly Gly Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Pro Pro 595 600 605 Gly Lys Asn Gly Glu Thr Gly Pro Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Thr Gly 610 615 620 Pro Gly Gly Asp Lys Gly Asp Thr Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Leu 625 630 635 640 Gln Gly Leu Pro Gly Thr Gly Gly Pro Pro Gly Glu Asn Gly Lys Pro 645 650 655 Gly Glu Pro Gly Pro Lys Gly Asp Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly 660 665 670 Gly Lys Gly Asp Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Pro Pro Gly Leu 675 680 685 Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Leu Arg Gly Gly Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Glu 690 695 700 Gly Gly Lys Gly Ala Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Ala Gly 705 710 715 720 Thr Pro Gly Leu Gln Gly Met Pro Gly Glu Arg Gly Gly Leu Gly Ser 725 730 735 Pro Gly Pro Lys Gly Asp Lys Gly Glu Pro Gly Gly Pro Gly Ala Asp 740 745 750 Gly Val Pro Gly Lys Asp Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Thr Gly Pro Ile Gly 755 760 765 Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Gln Pro Gly Asp Lys Gly Glu Gly Gly Ala 770 775 780 Pro Gly Leu Pro Gly Ile Ala Gly Pro Arg Gly Ser Pro Gly Glu Arg 785 790 795 800 Gly Glu Thr Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Phe Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly 805 810 815 Gln Asn Gly Glu Pro Gly Gly Lys Gly Glu Arg Gly Ala Pro Gly Glu 820 825 830 Lys Gly Glu Gly Gly Pro Pro Gly Val Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Gly Ser 835 840 845 Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Val Lys Gly Glu Arg Gly 850 855 860 Ser Pro Gly Gly Pro Gly Ala Ala Gly Phe Pro Gly Ala Arg Gly Leu 865 870 875 880 Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ser Asn Gly Asn Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ser 885 890 895 Gly Ser Pro Gly Lys Asp Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Asn Thr Gly 900 905 910 Ala Pro Gly Ser Pro Gly Val Ser Gly Pro Lys Gly Asp Ala Gly Gln 915 920 925 Pro Gly Glu Lys Gly Ser Pro Gly Ala Gln Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Pro 930 935 940 Gly Pro Leu Gly Ile Ala Gly Ile Thr Gly Ala Arg Gly Leu Ala Gly 945 950 955 960 Pro Pro Gly Met Pro Gly Pro Arg Gly Ser Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Val 965 970 975 Lys Gly Glu Ser Gly Lys Pro Gly Ala Asn Gly Leu Ser Gly Glu Arg 980 985 990 Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Gln Gly Leu Pro Gly Leu Ala Gly Thr Ala Gly 995 1000 1005 Glu Pro Gly Arg Asp Gly Asn Pro Gly Ser Asp Gly Leu Pro Gly Arg 1010 1015 1020 Asp Gly Ser Pro Gly Gly Lys Gly Asp Arg Gly Glu Asn Gly Ser Pro 1025 1030 1035 1040 Gly Ala Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly His Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Val Gly 1045 1050 1055 Pro Ala Gly Lys Ser Gly Asp Arg Gly Glu Ser Gly Pro Ala Gly Pro 1060 1065 1070 Ala Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Ser Arg Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Gln 1075 1080 1085 Gly Pro Arg Gly Asp Lys Gly Glu Thr Gly Glu Arg Gly Ala Ala Gly 1090 1095 1100 Ile Lys Gly His Arg Gly Phe Pro Gly Asn Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Ser 1105 1110 1115 1120 Pro Gly Pro Ala Gly Gln Gln Gly Ala Ile Gly Ser Pro Gly Pro Ala 1125 1130 1135 Gly Pro Arg Gly Pro Val Gly Pro Ser Gly Pro Pro Gly Lys Asp Gly 1140 1145 1150 Thr Ser Gly His Pro Gly Pro Ile Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Arg Gly Asn 1155 1160 1165 Arg Gly Glu Arg Gly Ser Glu Gly Ser Pro Gly His Pro Gly Gln Pro 1170 1175 1180 Gly Pro Pro Gly Pro Pro Gly Ala Pro Gly Pro Cys Cys Gly Gly Val 1185 1190 1195 1200 Gly Ala Ala Ala Ile Ala Gly Ile Gly Gly Glu Lys Ala Gly Gly Phe 1205 1210 1215 Ala Pro Tyr Tyr Gly Asp Glu Pro Met Asp Phe Lys Ile Asn Thr Asp 1220 1225 1230 Glu Ile Met Thr Ser Leu Lys Ser Val Asn Gly Gln Ile Glu Ser Leu 1235 1240 1245 Ile Ser Pro Asp Gly Ser Arg Lys Asn Pro Ala Arg Asn Cys Arg Asp 1250 1255 1260 Leu Lys Phe Cys His Pro Glu Leu Lys Ser Gly Glu Tyr Trp Val Asp 1265 1270 1275 1280 Pro Asn Gln Gly Cys Lys Leu Asp Ala Ile Lys Val Phe Cys Asn Met 1285 1290 1295 Glu Thr Gly Glu Thr Cys Ile Ser Ala Asn Pro Leu Asn Val Pro Arg 1300 1305 1310 Lys His Trp Trp Thr Asp Ser Ser Ala Glu Lys Lys His Val Trp Phe 1315 1320 1325 Gly Glu Ser Met Asp Gly Gly Phe Gln Phe Ser Tyr Gly Asn Pro Glu 1330 1335 1340 Leu Pro Glu Asp Val Leu Asp Val Gln Leu Ala Phe Leu Arg Leu Leu 1345 1350 1355 1360 Ser Ser Arg Ala Ser Gln Asn Ile Thr Tyr His Cys Lys Asn Ser Ile 1365 1370 1375 Ala Tyr Met Asp Gln Ala Ser Gly Asn Val Lys Lys Ala Leu Lys Leu 1380 1385 1390 Met Gly Ser Asn Glu Gly Glu Phe Lys Ala Glu Gly Asn Ser Lys Phe 1395 1400 1405 Thr Tyr Thr Val Leu Glu Asp Gly Cys Thr Lys His Thr Gly Glu Trp 1410 1415 1420 Ser Lys Thr Val Phe Glu Tyr Arg Thr Arg Lys Ala Val Arg Leu Pro 1425 1430 1435 1440 Ile Val Asp Ile Ala Pro Tyr Asp Ile Gly Gly Pro Asp Gln Glu Phe 1445 1450 1455 Gly Val Asp Val Gly Pro Val Cys Phe Leu 1460 1465 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated or purified T-lymphocyte derived from blood in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients, the T-lymphocyte is specifically reactive with collagen I, collagen III, fragment or combination thereof.
 2. A method of preventing or treating an aneurysm or rupture in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent that inhibits T-lymphocyte reactivity with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, thereby preventing or treating the aneurysm or rupture.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the immunosuppressive agent is selected from the group such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, prednisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone, cortisone and combinations thereof.
 4. A vaccine for preventing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture in a mammal comprising an effective amount of collagen, or epitope thereof, isolated from abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue, the collagen capable of producing an immune response in a mammal.
 5. A vaccine according to claim 4, wherein the immune response is production of antibodies specifically reactive with collagen I, or collagen III or epitope thereof.
 6. A vaccine according to claim 4, wherein the immune response is the production of cytokines.
 7. A kit for determining an individual's risk for developing and abdominal aortic aneurysm, comprising a container and a monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with collagen I, collagen III, epitope, or combination thereof, wherein the collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof is isolated from abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue.
 8. A method of stimulating or inhibiting an immune response in a mammal to prevent or treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or rupture comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof so as to produce antibodies that inhibit T-lymphocyte reactivity with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, thereby stimulating the immune response to prevent or treat the abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of an epitope of collagen I, collagen III, or combination thereof, wherein the epitope is isolated from abdominal aortic aneurysm tissue and is specifically reactive with T-lymphocytes.
 10. A method of preventing or treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent that inhibits blood T-lymphocyte reactivity with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, thereby preventing or treating the abdominal aortic aneurysm.
 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the immunosuppressive agent is selected from the group consisting of azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, prednisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone, cortisone and combinations thereof.
 12. A vaccine according to claim 4, wherein the collagen is capable of stimulating proliferation of blood T-lymphocyte in a mammal.
 13. A vaccine according to claim 12, wherein the collagen promotes production of antibodies specifically reactive with collagen I, or collagen III, epitope or combination thereof.
 14. A monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with collagen I, or collagen III, epitope or combination thereof, wherein the antibody prevents proliferation of blood T-lymphocyte in a mammal.
 15. A kit for determining an individual's risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture, comprising a container and a monoclonal antibody that specifically reacts with blood T-lymphocyte.
 16. A method of stimulating an immune response in a mammal to prevent or treat an aneurysm or rupture comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof so as to promote proliferation of blood T-lymphocyte or bind blood T-lymphocytes, thereby stimulating the immune response to prevent or treat the aneurysm or rupture.
 17. A method for determining a mammal's risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture comprising (a) obtaining a sample of blood T-lymphocytes from the mammal; (b) incubating the blood T-lymphocytes from the mammal under suitable conditions so as to react the T-lymphocytes with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof; and (c) determining the reactivity of the blood T-lymphocytes with collagen I, collagen III, epitope or combination thereof by measuring proliferation, or cytokine release, wherein the proliferation or cytokine release of the T-lymphocytes indicates increased risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm or rupture.
 18. A method for determining a mammal's risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or rupture comprising detecting a protein in the peripheral blood that is collagen I, collagen III or an epitope thereof.
 19. A method for determining a mammal's risk for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or rupture comprising measuring T-lymphocyte reactivity using isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes.
 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the T-lymphocyte reactivity is proliferation or cytokine release in peripheral blood lymphocytes.
 21. A method according to claim 19, wherein the T-lymphocyte reactivity is measured by flow cytometric measured association of collagen I, collagen III and/or an epitope thereof to T-lymphocytes from peripheral blood.
 22. A method for detecting the presence of collagen I, collagen III, and/or epitope thereof, comprising: (a) obtaining a sample of aortic tissue; (b) incubating the sample with one or more blood T-lymphocytes under suitable conditions so as to react the T-lymphocytes with collagen I, collagen III, and/or epitope thereof, and (c) detecting collagen I, collagen III, and/or epitope thereof by measuring blood T-lymphocyte reactivity with the aortic tissue, wherein proliferation of the T-lymphocyte indicates the presence of collagen I, collagen III, and/or epitope thereof. 